(57) A cold-water-swelling granular starch material derived from ungelatinized corn starch and characterised by a cold-water solubility of at least 50% is prepared by subjecting granular corn starch, slurried in selected aqueous alcohols, to conditions of high temperature and pressure. The cold-water-swelling granular starch material derived from chemically unmodified (or minimally modified) ungelatinized corn starch has an ability to set to a sliceable gel without cooking or chilling when blended with an aqueous sugar syrup. That granular starch material is particularly useful in food systems of the type which set or gel upon standing such as pie fillings, jellies, demouldable desserts and puddings.